Please how do you embroider on a tee shirt? Tips please. Thanks and flowers

You have had some excellent tips and I added my two cents worth a couple of times. Do you have any cotton knit left over from when we all went knit crazy? If not, look in the remnant bin in your fabric store or buy a small piece of cotton lightweight knit and practice the stitch out on it first instead of the T-SHIRT. Good luck Kay

You probably know this already, but the weight of the t-shirt will kind of determine the density of the design. More light and airy less, issues...

Caroline - I have sent you a PM

1 comment

by asterixsew 01 Apr 2014

Thanks and I have sent a reply

With trepidation - especially if the shirt is someone else's!

4 comments

by gerryb 01 Apr 2014

LOL

by asterixsew 01 Apr 2014

Yes it is to be someone else's

by Leaha 01 Apr 2014

I agree wholeheartedly with you Ms Sue! LOL

by katydid 01 Apr 2014

Had my fair share of these!!!!

I use iron on stabilizer and a sheet of tearaway. Tshirts and sweatshirts can stretch around so easy. If you put the iron on right where your design will be, it keeps that section from distorting. HTH! Flowers for everybody!

2 comments

by shozo1271 01 Apr 2014

oops, also forgot to say that I add WSS on top too!

by asterixsew 01 Apr 2014

shozo thanks for your detailed advice

I use the cutaway no show mesh. Also, a tip I learned here several years ago, use a ball point needle. I have done a lot of t-shirts and tank tops and they come out perfect. Print out a template and place it where you want the design to be. Mark your lines and line up with the the hoop lines and you're good to go. Hugs...Carol

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by asterixsew 01 Apr 2014

Carol thanks for your detailed advice. I must get some ball point needles as I have not got sufficient for my machine at the moment

by katydid 01 Apr 2014

I fully agree with Carol. I will go one step more and add that I never hoop the t- shirt. I will put a hoop burn and cause grief. I hoop the no show cut a-way stabilizer only. Use beige or flesh color no show on white t- shirt with a 75 ballpoint needle. Good luck!! KAY

I have done quite a few t-shirts throughout the years, and the best results I have had is when I use the thin fusible stabilizer ironed to the back of the fabric, where the design is to be stitched. Use a piece a bit larger than the design. As knits have such a tendency to stretch/distort, the fusible helps keep the knit secure. I hoop a light weight cut-away stablilizer, and do not hoop the shirt, but spray a bit of adhesive spray to the inside of the shirt where the fusible is located, then gently center and press the shirt to the hooped cut-away. I place a layer of wws on top, because stitches like to sink into knit fabric. If the design is dense, I use two layers of wws. After stitching the design, then turn the shirt inside out. Trim both the fused cutaway and light cutaway to approx. 1/8 inch around the design.
This method had helped a lot to prevent curling of the design and wrinkling so badly after washing. Hope this helps you.
Hugs, Angel

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by asterixsew edited 01 Apr 2014

Right I know I have not thin fusible stabiliser and will have to search in the UK for some. Your instructions are very detailed so thanks very much for taking the time to reply

by graceandham 01 Apr 2014

Excellent info ad how I do it!

cutaway and wss on top, Watch out for hoop burn (I think that is what they call it) if at all possible don't hoop and if you must, take it out asap and I use a lint roller to remove any markings on the fabric. With my new machine I have to hoop but I loosen my hoop as much as I can and use a little spray of glue to secure my fabric,
Good luck

3 comments

by asterixsew 01 Apr 2014

Thanks, I also need to buy spray glue for this project

by katydid 01 Apr 2014

Not glue, but temporary adhesive . I use " 505" brand and the can says it is a product of France, so you should be able to buy in UK. only spray with a quick one or two sprays in the center of your hoop try avoid the hoop itself .as it will build up. Many take this out side to spray, but iI keep a paper shopping bag in my sewing room and lay the hooped stabilizer inside the bag and spray lightly. Kay

by spendlove 02 Apr 2014

I use 505 a lot, but I did find it marked a t-shirt and ruined it.

I use cut away stabilizer on the back and a sheet of wss on top.

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by asterixsew 01 Apr 2014

Thanks, this is what I did on the only t shirt I have done and it was not too good so as I have eventually decided to have a go again I thought that I would ask here. I have has some super replies

by chrises 04 Apr 2014

The tshirt fabric is very likely to hoopburn and to stretch, and stabilizer will distort the tshirt. Hoop up a piece of Glad Press and Seal from our kitchen, stick it to the flat bottom of your inner hoop. On the bottom mark your bullsye for placement. Mark your shirt with chalk and stick it to the PressNSeal. Once you learn the process you will not crush your fabric in a hoop again. There are commercial stabilizers like this....they are expensive and leave goopy adhesive on your needle.